4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good., 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

INTRODUCTORY IDEAS 1)God loves the world and is at work repairing it through people.

INTRODUCTORY IDEAS 1)God loves the world and is at work repairing it through people. 2)God is equipping people with gifts to accomplish His purpose.

INTRODUCTORY IDEAS 1)God loves the world and is at work repairing it through people. 2)God is equipping people with gifts to accomplish His purpose. 1)To participate in our role in His plan, or reject the possibilities for our role in His plan is our choice

KEY QUESTION If God is at work repairing the world through people given gifts from Him to accomplish His purpose, what could possibly stop it?

SLOTH 13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!” 14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

SLOTH 15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly. Proverbs 26:13-16

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11

30 I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; 31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. Proverbs 24:30-31

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them. Proverbs 10:26

SLOTH OR SLUGGARD Hebrew is the word Atsel—In pictures, the authority of what lures me is missing

THE GLORY OF GOD Hebrew is Kabod…originally a market term for weight.

OBSERVATIONS 1)The things in life that weigh the most can’t be weighed.

OBSERVATIONS 1)The things in life that weigh the most can’t be weighed. 2)In Rabbinical literature, sloth is about a posture of response to the life God is offering us.

OBSERVATIONS 1)The things in life that weigh the most can’t be weighed. 2)In Rabbinical literature, sloth is about a posture of response to the life God is offering us. 3)Sloth is not Sabbath rest.

OBSERVATIONS Sloth is saying no to the endless possibilities and potentials of the life God has given you.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD 1) Resurrection 2) Breath

APPLICATION 1) Sloth is when you refuse to use the gifts God has given you to breath life into the world around you.

APPLICATION 1)Sloth is when you refuse to use the gifts God has given you to breath life into the world around you. 2)In order to be effective at using these gifts for the common good, we must master the art of work and rest.

WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT THIS OPPORTUNITY 1)Overinflated ego

WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT THIS OPPORTUNITY 1)Overinflated ego 2)We worry about things not going according to plan

WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT THIS OPPORTUNITY 1)Overinflated ego 2)We worry about things not going according to plan 3)We reject the discipline to plan

WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT THIS OPPORTUNITY 1)Overinflated ego 2)We worry about things not going according to plan 3)We reject the discipline to plan 4)We feel the opportunity will cost too much

JESUS USED ALL HE HAD TO SUBMIT TO THE FATHER’S PLAN

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? MATTHEW 16:21-26

THERE IS NO SHORTCUT TO ANY PLACE WORTH GOING.

WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT THIS OPPORTUNITY 5) We are afraid of criticism

APPLICATION 1)Are you willing to accept the opportunity to partner with God to change the world?

APPLICATION 1)Are you willing to accept the opportunity to partner with God to change the world? 2)Of the obstacles we spoke of, which is your biggest issue?

APPLICATION 1)Are you willing to accept the opportunity to partner with God to change the world? 2)Of the obstacles we spoke of, which is your biggest issue? 3)Is there any possibility that you know God has called you to, but up until now you have rejected.